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Welcome party in Bolga!
It's been a real whirlwind of a time settling in here, but slowly and surely I am getting into the rhythm of things and finding my feet on the sandy ground of this crazy and colourful experience they call life in Ghana.
Last Saturday I went over to Bolga for my first volunteer's party, for new starters and also some leavers, and it was brilliant! There is such a large bunch of volunteers here in (or with good access to) the Upper East region (about 25 out of the 50+ in Ghana as a whole), that the get-togethers are pretty impressive. It was full to the brim of volunteers and Ghanaian friends, which when mixed with a fusion of local and international dishes, an array of drinks, vodka jelly, flashing fairy lights and lots of dancing thanks to the a DJ playing lively Ghanaian and East African music through speakers that could blow the tin roof off, made for a real night of fun.
Because of the constant influx and out-flux of volunteers here (since I arrived here a couple of weeks ago with 20 other newbies, at least 5 'oldies' have left from this region so far) the welcome and leaving parties are a real mix of emotions for those who have been here a while. I already understand how hard it must be to say goodbye to friends that you've bonded pretty closely with in such a short space of time over things like culture shock, tro-tro rides, Ghanaian dancing, eating goat meat, the whole range of workplace challenges, tummy upsets, and generally getting to grips with the Ghanaian way of life!
It was great to spend some time in Bolga, knowing that when things get too sleepy in Zebilla, I can just pop over to see the other volunteers there and have some drinks on one of their roof terraces or go to a drinking 'spot' or go shopping for yummy foods that you can't buy in Zebilla. I'm sure I will be far too busy to be partying every weekend of course...but it's good to know there is a life out here and a huge amount of fun to be had!
J
xx
Photo: me and friend Leela at the party
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